Meet Marie Cotellessa, our foundations founder. 

Marie has both Type-one Brittle Diabetes and Epilepsy and relies on Colby, her life saving Service Alert Dog.  She and her husband wanted to help others that suffer from these conditions so they started teh Awareness K-9 Foundation, Inc. in 1998.

"I have learned through my husband Jeff, that taking care of a person with either Type-one Brittle Diabetes and/or Epilepsy can be tiring to not only the person affected but also on their support system.  Our four legged buddies, the Service Alert Dog, carry the most responsibility. Service Alert Dogs are very special in my book.  They are trained to get help when help is needed.  They are very sensitive about feeling that you have if they can not help they figure out a solution.  Colby, my Service Alert Dog is very dedicated to my husband Jeff and me. She not only alerts him to my low blood sugars but also to my high blood sugars. We got her when she was eight weeks old, she has been my savior ever since."